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Should You Consider A Home Birth?

© Jaime Warren

In today's society, women have more laboring and birthing options available to them than ever before. Women can choose from a variety of different birthing techniques, from Lamaze to HypnoBirthing. Expectant mothers can even choose where they would like to give birth at. The hospital environment, while still one of the most widely accepted places to give birth, isn't the only place out there. Women are choosing water births, birthing centers and even giving birth at home.

The popularity of home births is growing, and with good reason. A home birth offers expectant parents a familiar and warm place to experience the miracle of birth. Giving birth at homes means that the parents are in charge of their environment, and most of all, their birthing experience. Expectant mothers are learning that their environment has a lot to do with their birthing experience, including the ease in which they are able to labor and give birth.

With a home birth, expectant parents are able to choose who they want with them during the birth, and, visitors are not limited. Siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles can all be present to share in the birth of the eagerly anticipated newborn. This in turn creates a wonderful bonding experience for the newborn and family. A home birth also provides an environment where medical intervention isn't constantly present. For many expectant mothers this provides a sense of control.

While a home birth is an excellent birthing option for some, it isn't for everyone. Expectant mothers who have had complications during their pregnancies i.e preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placenta preview, a home birth isn't advisable. Mothers carrying multiple babies, or those attempting a VAC. are also advised to not attempt a home birth. A home birth with these conditions could endanger the life of both the mother and the baby, since should an emergency arise, emergency medical equipment and an OR are not readily available.

For those mothers considered to have a low risk pregnancy, a home birth is definitely an option to look into. The first step is to find a certified nurse-midwife who has experience with home births. It is important to inquire about how many home births the midwife has attended, and what would happen should an emergency arise. Home births should be done within a 20 minute radius of the local hospital, to ensure that if an emergency occurs, medical intervention is close at hand. It is important to make sure that the closest hospital will be able to take a home birth emergency.

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